H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Information for clinicians regarding the 2009 H1N1 Influenza A vaccine can be found on our Clinicians Guidance Page.

Bill Snyder Video Transcript

Vaccine Resources

• Vaccine Information Statement: H1N1 Influenza Vaccine - Inactivated Vaccine - En EspañolVaccine Information Statement: H1N1 Influenza Vaccine - Inactivated Vaccine
• Vaccine Information Statement: H1N1 Influenza Vaccine - Live, Attenuated Intranasal Vaccine (LAIV) - En EspañolVaccine Information Statement: H1N1 Influenza Vaccine - Live, Attenuated Intranasal Vaccine (LAIV)
• CDC's YouTube channel
• What you need to know about 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Administration Fees, October 15, 2009
• Questions & Answers: 2009 H1N1 Nasal Spray Vaccine (LAIV) (link to CDC)
• Vaccine Safety (link to CDC)

A new vaccine against the 2009 H1N1 flu, our best option for prevention, is being produced and will be available in limited quantities in the coming days.   More doses will continue to become available weekly.

CDC anticipates that 2009 H1N1 influenza viruses will circulate along with regular seasonal influenza viruses during this influenza season. The seasonal flu vaccine (link) does not protect against 2009 H1N1 flu.

The national vaccine program will be voluntary. Those interested in vaccination for themselves or their children will receive accurate information about 2009 H1N1 influenza and the vaccine’s benefits and risks so they can make an informed decision.

Target Groups for H1N1 Vaccination
October 2009

1. The national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and KDHE recommend that the following subset of the initial target groups receive high priority for vaccination until vaccine availability increases:
   1. Pregnant Women
   2. Persons who live with or provide care for infants less than 6 months of age (parents, siblings and daycare providers, etc.)
   3. Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material
   4. Children 6 months through 4 years of age
   5. Children and adolescents 5-18 years of age who have medical conditions** that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications

2. Once vaccine supplies are sufficient, the five target groups should be expanded to include:
   1. Pregnant Women
   2. Persons who live with or provide care for infants less than 6 months of age (parents, siblings and daycare providers, etc.)
   3. Healthcare and emergency medical services personnelÏ
   4. Persons 6 months through 24 years of age
   5. Persons 25-64 years of age who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related  complications
      
      **Chronic medical conditions that confer a higher risk for influenza-related complications include chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurologic/neuromuscular, hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus) or immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus).

3. Once vaccination programs and providers are meeting the demand for vaccine among the persons in the five initial target groups, vaccination should be expanded to all persons 25-64 years of age. 

4. Once demand for vaccine among younger age groups is being met, vaccination should be expanded to all persons 65 years of age and older.

Kansas Plan for H1N1 Provider Enrollment and Vaccine Distribution, October 28, 2009 |

Flow Chart of Distribution of the H1N1 Vaccine in Kansas

Seasonal Flu vaccination

Flu vaccination provides protection against the influenza strains contained in the vaccine through the entire influenza season. Vaccination can begin as soon as vaccine becomes available in the fall. The goal for individuals, especially those at high risk of developing complications from influenza, is to receive a seasonal flu vaccination before influenza activity is taking place in their community. In Kansas there is ongoing influenza activity, so the sooner individuals receive their seasonal flu vaccination, the better. Regardless of how early individuals receive their seasonal flu vaccination, they will have protection from seasonal flu throughout the duration of the flu season. 
Despite all of the news about H1N1 flu, it is still important for people – especially the elderly and other high-risk groups – to receive the seasonal flu vaccine, which will be available much earlier this year.
The new 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of influenza, and the importance of prevention.  While the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus has been the focus of attention since the spring, it is important that we do not forget the risks posed by seasonal influenza viruses. As always, seasonal flu viruses will circulate this season.

Seasonal Flu – People at greater risk

While almost everyone should get a seasonal flu vaccination each year, people in certain groups are especially recommended to do so. This is because of their increased risk for severe health complications if they catch the flu, or the greater risk that they could spread flu viruses to others because of their job or other daily activities.

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
• Health care workers
• Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
• Household contacts and caregivers of infants younger than 6 months of age

Safety

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) closely monitor the safety of all influenza (and other) vaccines licensed for use in the United States in cooperation with state and local health departments, healthcare providers, and other partners.  Vaccine safety monitoring includes reviewing adverse events reported by providers, manufacturers, people who were vaccinated or their caregivers, and comparing the rate of these adverse events to the background rates (the rates at which they normally occur in the population).  An adverse event is a medical incident that happens after an immunization.
The purpose of vaccine safety monitoring is to quickly identify any significant adverse events, should these occur, and to provide timely information to the public, vaccine providers, public health officials, and policy makers.

Comparison of Seasonal vs H1N1.pdf

Links

• Guidance for Clinicians
• CDC vaccination information